Strategy for Upper Intermed

Hoping to hear some suggestions about Upper Intermediate strategies for review.I listened to the official guide to Intermediate (http://chinesepod.com/lessons/taking-the-plunge-into-intermediate) and it was pretty useful. I do agree characters have to be included as integral part.I've now tried a few upper lessons, and feel that my previous routine is not going to cut it, so if anyone has special tips for this level, please post them here! Very much appreciated, Anatoly